A man looks at the back of Sony's 4K XBR LED televisions at the Sony booth during a news conference at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. / Jae C. Hong, AP

by Brett Molina, USA TODAY

by Brett Molina, USA TODAY

Welcome to a special edition of This Week in Tech, as we take a look back at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

As with every year, a few trends always seem to emerge. Here were the five that captured our attention.

1. The Internet is everywhere.

In the early days, the only access point to the Web was through a desktop computer. Today, practically any device offers a link to the Internet, and we're not just talking smartphones and tablets.

We've got smart appliances such as refrigerators, where users can look up recipes or use an app like Evernote to keep shopping lists. Cars are increasingly adding Wi-Fi support, so you can crank up tunes from Pandora and other services. Of course, there's also the smart TV movement, where users can boot up a film from Netflix or viral video from YouTube straight from their HD set.

Pretty soon, it will be difficult to find a gadget that doesn't provide a gateway to the Web.

2. Goodbye 3-D, hello 4K.

A few years ago, 3-D seemed to generate all the buzz at CES, as readers likely spotted countless images of glowing faces with glasses staring at a screen.

This year, the new two-letter term to learn is 4K. Or the two-word phrase "Ultra HD." They mean the same thing: a TV with a resolution four times better than what standard high-definition sets boast.

Manufacturers including Toshiba, LG, Sony and Samsung were among those trotting out 4K televisions at CES. Panasonic took it a step further by unveiling a 20-inch, 4K tablet aimed at businesses. Sony and Panasonic also showed off organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays with 4K-Ultra HD resolution. The one thing all these sets will have in common: They will cost a fortune when they initially hit stores.

As for 3-D, it's still visible at CES, although whether it breaks through to become a staple in homes is another matter. More companies are experimenting with 3-D sets that drop the bulky glasses. Check out reporters Ed Baig, Jefferson Graham and Mike Snider as they debate whether there's hope for 3-D.

3. Gadgets for your wrist.

Smaller devices aren't just for your pockets. A growing number of hot devices at CES are meant to wear on your wrist.

Watches in particular seem to be a fresh trend popping up, such as the cool Pebble smartwatch that connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone. But it tells more than just the time, serving as a caller ID, a hub to quickly glance at emails or text messages, and weather alerts.

The Martian Watch takes these controls a step further, supporting voice commands. As Jefferson Graham explains, the watch can read back messages or send vocal alerts. It will be available in February for $299.

It wasn't just screen resolutions that surged upward. There seemed to be plenty of massive TV sets, including Samsung's 110-inch Ultra HD set. Since Ultra HD (4K) sets have higher resolution, the sets can be larger without sacrificing image quality. As our partners at Reviewed.com point out, the television features Samsung's Smart TV package and an unique frame resembling an easel.

CES also provided glimpses of displays with more flexibility. Samsung unveiled Youm, flexible OLED screens for smartphones. The plastic screens bend easily, allowing for potential uses such as folding shut like a book. Meanwhile, Plastic Logic showcased their PaperTab, a tablet that moves like a sheet of paper. Bending corners performed certain functions, such as rewinding or fast-forwarding through a video.

5. Farewell to buttons?

If users weren't speaking to their devices, they were waving their hands or gently tapping a touchscreen. Developers are finding more ways to eliminate physical buttons.

Hyundai unveiled cars with 3-D gesture control so drivers could perform simple tasks such as changing the radio station with a swipe of their hand.

Then there's voice control. Users can talk to their phones, TVs and watches. Matt Revis, vice president and general manager of Nuance's Dragon division for mobile devices, says it won't be long before we're talking to our homes, using vocal commands to turn off alarms or change the temperature.

Sure, buttons are still out there, on remotes and keyboards, but it appears we're moving closer to a button-free world.